Third Frames: Bassprov in Toronto

Joe Bill and Mark Sutton returned to Toronto to bring this town some much-needed bass-fishin’ action in the middle of winter.

Bassprov is like the Seinfeld of longform improv. It’s a show about nothing. Two men sitting in a boat, trying to catch some fish.

But like real-life recreational fishermen, it’s really not about the fish at all. It’s about the conversation: relationships, sex addition, the genetic superiority of Heidi Klum and Seal, the work of Alanis Morrisette, and justification for lowering the toilet seat — interspersed with liberal use of the word “duplicity”. And despite what that description indicates, it somehow all makes total sense.

This was my 4th time seeing Bassprov, and my favourite so far. (I think there’s something about the pace of NYC’s Del Close Marathon that keeps me from getting fully engaged with an all-talk-no-action performance.)

Sutton and Bill are teaching a 2-day improv workshop through the Impatient Theatre Co. all weekend, and performing their second Bassprov show Saturday night at Comedy Bar. Tickets are $10 at the door only.
View more photos of Friday’s show.

About the Author

Sharilyn Johnson is the author of the book Bears & Balls: The Colbert Report A-Z. Called "one of the city’s most discriminating comedy critics” by NOW Magazine, Sharilyn has been covering comedy for longer than she cares to admit. She served as the comedy reporter for Winnipeg's Uptown Magazine for five years, and was the host of the radio show Laugh Tracks for three seasons. Her work has also appeared in the Toronto Star, the Winnipeg Free Press, The Apiary, and on CBC Radio's national comedy programs LOL and Definitely Not the Opera.